NU 578 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3:
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 100% PASS
OVERVIEW:
NU 578 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 covers cardiovascular, respiratory,
hematologic, and metabolic pharmacology including antihypertensives, ACE
inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants,
antiplatelets, statins, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, heart failure management,
allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD agents including ipratropium and roflumilast,
antitussives, expectorants, iron preparations, and electrolyte imbalances.
Correct answer highlighted in bold Green + rationales.
Question 1: In the treatment of allergic rhinitis which of the following should be
limited to no more than 5 consecutive days use?
A. Antihistamines
B. Oral adrenergics
C. Topical vasoconstrictors
D. Topical glucocorticoids
E. Nasal sprays containing normal saline
Rationale: Topical decongestants cause rebound congestion - rhinitis medicamentosa
- if used >3-5 days.
Question 2: The patient must be informed of possible damage to the lungs when
prescribed oral therapy with which of the following drugs?
A. amiodarone (Cordarone)
B. dofetilide (Tikosyn)
C. propafenone (Rhythmol)
,D. propranolol (Inderal)
Rationale: Amiodarone causes pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis,
potentially fatal.
Question 3: Although aspirin is often combined with P2Y12 Adenosine Diphosphate
Receptor Antagonists, its use with these agents may:
A. Increase the risk of edema
B. Increase the risk of renal toxicity
C. Increase the risk of hepatotoxicity
D. Increase the risk of GI bleeds
Rationale: Dual antiplatelet therapy increases bleeding risk, especially GI bleeding.
Question 4: Calcium channel blockers that are dihydropyridines:
A. Work primarily on the SA node
B. Include Verapamil and Diltiazem
C. Interact strongly with grapefruit juice
D. Are often combined with a beta blocker to suppress reflex tachycardia
Rationale: Dihydropyridines (amlodipine, nifedipine) are potent vasodilators causing
reflex tachycardia; combining with beta blocker blunts reflex.
Question 5: Which of the following is a true statement:
A. Dextromethorphan has not been shown to be effective in suppressing cough
associated with the common cold.
B. Guaifenesin acts by promoting a more vigorous cough.
C. Oral sympathomimetics can cause rebound congestion after a few days
D. Antihistamines reduce itching, sneezing and congestion.
Rationale: Evidence for dextromethorphan for acute cough is limited. Rebound
congestion is topical decongestants, not oral.
, Question 6: A patient has inadvertently overdosed on warfarin. To reverse the
bleeding caused by this drug, the patient will be treated with:
A. Vitamin K
B. Ascorbic acid
C. Folic acid
D. Cyanocobalamin
Rationale: Vitamin K restores vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, X.
Question 7: With most of the ACE inhibitors that are approved for heart failure:
A. Starting doses are lower than they are for the patient taking them for hypertension
B. An effect is seen on the arterioles to cause vasodilation, but not on the veins
C. Doses are in a range where angioedema will not be seen as a side effect
D. Cardiac remodeling does not contribute significantly to the effect of the drug
Rationale: Heart failure patients start at lower ACE inhibitor doses due to
hypotension risk, then titrate to target.
Question 8: Of the following, the patient who is a candidate for Dronedarone would
be:
A. The patient who is being treated for depression with a tricyclic antidepressant and has
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
B. The patient who is 12 weeks pregnant with permanent atrial fibrillation
C. The patient who is taking a low dose of Verapamil with persistent atrial fibrillation
D. The patient prescribed clarithromycin for a sinus infection and who has atrial flutter
Rationale: Dronedarone contraindicated in permanent AF, pregnancy, with QT-
prolonging drugs, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like clarithromycin.
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 100% PASS
OVERVIEW:
NU 578 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 covers cardiovascular, respiratory,
hematologic, and metabolic pharmacology including antihypertensives, ACE
inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants,
antiplatelets, statins, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, heart failure management,
allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD agents including ipratropium and roflumilast,
antitussives, expectorants, iron preparations, and electrolyte imbalances.
Correct answer highlighted in bold Green + rationales.
Question 1: In the treatment of allergic rhinitis which of the following should be
limited to no more than 5 consecutive days use?
A. Antihistamines
B. Oral adrenergics
C. Topical vasoconstrictors
D. Topical glucocorticoids
E. Nasal sprays containing normal saline
Rationale: Topical decongestants cause rebound congestion - rhinitis medicamentosa
- if used >3-5 days.
Question 2: The patient must be informed of possible damage to the lungs when
prescribed oral therapy with which of the following drugs?
A. amiodarone (Cordarone)
B. dofetilide (Tikosyn)
C. propafenone (Rhythmol)
,D. propranolol (Inderal)
Rationale: Amiodarone causes pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis,
potentially fatal.
Question 3: Although aspirin is often combined with P2Y12 Adenosine Diphosphate
Receptor Antagonists, its use with these agents may:
A. Increase the risk of edema
B. Increase the risk of renal toxicity
C. Increase the risk of hepatotoxicity
D. Increase the risk of GI bleeds
Rationale: Dual antiplatelet therapy increases bleeding risk, especially GI bleeding.
Question 4: Calcium channel blockers that are dihydropyridines:
A. Work primarily on the SA node
B. Include Verapamil and Diltiazem
C. Interact strongly with grapefruit juice
D. Are often combined with a beta blocker to suppress reflex tachycardia
Rationale: Dihydropyridines (amlodipine, nifedipine) are potent vasodilators causing
reflex tachycardia; combining with beta blocker blunts reflex.
Question 5: Which of the following is a true statement:
A. Dextromethorphan has not been shown to be effective in suppressing cough
associated with the common cold.
B. Guaifenesin acts by promoting a more vigorous cough.
C. Oral sympathomimetics can cause rebound congestion after a few days
D. Antihistamines reduce itching, sneezing and congestion.
Rationale: Evidence for dextromethorphan for acute cough is limited. Rebound
congestion is topical decongestants, not oral.
, Question 6: A patient has inadvertently overdosed on warfarin. To reverse the
bleeding caused by this drug, the patient will be treated with:
A. Vitamin K
B. Ascorbic acid
C. Folic acid
D. Cyanocobalamin
Rationale: Vitamin K restores vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, X.
Question 7: With most of the ACE inhibitors that are approved for heart failure:
A. Starting doses are lower than they are for the patient taking them for hypertension
B. An effect is seen on the arterioles to cause vasodilation, but not on the veins
C. Doses are in a range where angioedema will not be seen as a side effect
D. Cardiac remodeling does not contribute significantly to the effect of the drug
Rationale: Heart failure patients start at lower ACE inhibitor doses due to
hypotension risk, then titrate to target.
Question 8: Of the following, the patient who is a candidate for Dronedarone would
be:
A. The patient who is being treated for depression with a tricyclic antidepressant and has
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
B. The patient who is 12 weeks pregnant with permanent atrial fibrillation
C. The patient who is taking a low dose of Verapamil with persistent atrial fibrillation
D. The patient prescribed clarithromycin for a sinus infection and who has atrial flutter
Rationale: Dronedarone contraindicated in permanent AF, pregnancy, with QT-
prolonging drugs, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like clarithromycin.
